How to Cut a Papaya 4 Different Ways

Papayas have a pretty long season compared to many other fruits and berries; they are at their peak from the start of summer to the end of the fall. If you've been looking at papaya in the grocery store but haven't bought one because you’re not sure how to peel or cut it, those days are over. It's time you tried this unassuming subtropical fruit at home, and we're here to teach you how to cut papaya like a pro.

What Is a Papaya and How Does It Taste?

Papaya is a subtropical fruit indigenous to southern Mexico and other parts of northern South America. The fruit itself has gained global recognition and is used by many cultures in culinary applications, and the leaves, buds, and seeds have been used throughout the centuries for medicinal purposes. 

Papayas are classified as a berry since they contain seeds. Like other subtropical fruits, such as bananas and avocados, papayas are usually picked when they are underripe. They continue to ripen off the vine, so rest assured that even if you pick a green papaya, it will ripen in time.

Flavor and Texture

Papaya has fresh, mildly sweet flesh under its bumpy skin, and it adds a creamy texture to all kinds of recipes. A good, ripe papaya has a sweet, slightly musky flavor similar to cantaloupe. Even the most perfectly ripe papaya is still quite mild and doesn’t have an overpowering level of sweetness. It's perfect for adding a subtle hint of sugar to fruit salad or smoothies. 

Texturally, ripe papaya is quite similar to mango, with a soft, luscious mouthfeel. Unripe papaya (also known as green papaya) has a crisp, crunchy texture. You'll most often see papaya used in sweet recipes, but it also makes its way into savory dishes, especially salads.

Appearance

Papayas tend to be heavier than they look. They can be as small as a tennis ball or sometimes as large as a football, depending on the variety. The skin can be anything from pale green to rosy red-orange, and the flesh inside will correspond accordingly. Green papayas tend to have pale green-white flesh, while the rosier-hued fruits will look juicy and bright orange.

Tools Needed to Prep a Papaya

• Cutting board: The first step in cutting papaya is to secure your cutting board so it won’t slip and slide while you work. Papaya is a slippery fruit, so it’s important to have a solid base to cut on. Secure the cutting board with a non-slip mat or a few layers of damp paper towels.
• Vegetable peeler: A Y-shaped peeler is the best tool for this task. You’ll use the peeler to work from the tip of the papaya to the base and remove the protective outer layer of skin. 
• Chef's knife: Use a large, sharp knife to slice the papaya in half and cut it into your desired shapes. 
• Spoon: A regular kitchen spoon can be used to scoop out the fruit's seeds.

How to Peel and Seed a Papaya

First, you might need to peel and seed a papaya before cutting it into shapes. Here's how:

1. Start by breaking the fruit down into more manageable pieces. Slice the papaya in half lengthwise using your chef’s knife. 
2. Use the spoon to scoop out the seeds, just like you would with a cantaloupe or honeydew melon. 
3. Use the vegetable peeler to work your way down the length of the outside of the papaya, removing the skin to expose the bright orange fruit underneath. Lay the fruit face down on the cutting board while peeling, which makes it easier to control the fruit.

How to Cut Papaya Into Half Moons

Cutting papaya into a half-moon shape is a beautiful way to present this tropical fruit. This shape is perfect for a tropical fruit salad with a squeeze of lime and a drizzle of honey. This slicing method also provides a convenient shape for snacking.

1. Cut the papaya into two halves using a chef's knife. Remove the seeds using a spoon. Place each half face down on the cutting board, and using a Y-shaped peeler, remove the skin from both halves.
2. Working with one half at a time, slice the papaya crosswise into half-moon shapes, working your way down the papaya.
   

Don't Miss

What Is a Dragon Fruit? Your Guide to Buying, Cutting, and Enjoying This Tropical Fruit

How to Eat Jackfruit the Right Way, According to Tropical Fruit Experts

How to Cut Papaya Into Cubes

Cubed papaya is perfect for smoothies, parfaits, or a quick, delicious bite-sized snack. You can also try cooking it down with herbs and spices to make a sweet and spicy condiment, or serve fresh in a tangle of savory soba noodles. Here's the easiest way to cut papaya into cubes.

1. Use a chef's knife to cut your fresh papaya into two halves. Then, using a spoon, scoop out the seeds. With the papaya halves face down, peel the skin off with a Y-shaped peeler.
2. Cut the papaya halves lengthwise into planks (anywhere from ½-to-1-inch-thick). Then slice in the other direction to create approximate cube shapes.

How to Cut Papaya Into Wedges

Papaya wedges make a delicious treat. Here's how to properly cut papaya into wedges.

1. Start by cutting the papaya into two halves with a chef's knife. Remove the seeds with a spoon. Then, face both halves down and peel the skin off with a Y-shaped peeler.
   
2. Cut the papaya halves lengthwise into thick wedges, kind of like you would do with potatoes.
   

How to Shred Papaya

Green papaya, in particular, is delicious when thinly shredded (riper papaya is usually too soft to shred easily). You’ll see green papaya salad on a lot of Vietnamese menus, usually flavored with fish sauce and lime juice. The easiest way to shred papaya is with the julienne attachment of a mandolin or food processor.